Lock



. 1933- J. E. BEVINGTON 1,929,235

LOCK

Filed May 24, 1929 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 3, 1933 OFFICE Look John E. Bevington, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor of one-half to Brennan B. West,

Heights, Ohio Cleveland v 7 Application M y-24, 1929. Serial No. 365,598

r 11 Claims.

This invention relates to looks. It has to do particularly with locking mechanism of the so-. called cylinder type, and with an improved pad lock incorporating such mechanism.

The objects of the invention are to provide .an extremely efiicient, high quality lock that is thor-' oughly reliable, strong and'durable, and is Very secure against being picked or against being injured from tampering. V

Other objects of the invention are the production of a lock that is easy of operation; that is not liable to get out of order; that is relatively simple of construction and economical of production; in which certain of the parts are metal stampings and'others are sections of standard tubing, and wherein the parts are so designed as to greatly facilitate assembly, thereby to main tain the manufacturing cost relatively low.

Further objects of the invention are to pro vide a lock which, although consisting of relatively few and simple parts, is susceptible to a wide range of combinations. Different combinations may be efieoted by rearranging the tumblers, and by using different numbers of the several shapes, as well as by reversing the individual tumblers. A key is employed having a bit com-' prising a plurality of blades, preferably four, that are tangent to the axis of the key,*and bysimply reversing the position of the barrel within the lock, and employing a key having its bit correspondingly reversed, the combination possibilities of the lock are doubled. Obviously the combinations may be further multiplied by varying the extent to which the blades of the bit are ofiset from the axis of the key, and by employing blades of different thicknesses. r

The foregoing objects, with others that will appear as this description proceeds, are attained in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing accompanying and forming a part hereof, and wherein Fig. 1 is a sectional side elevation of a padlock incorporating 'my improvements; Fig. 2 is a central section through the lock, with the key inserted, the plane ofsection being at right angles to that of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an endview of the lock; Figs. 4 and 5- are sections on the respective lines'4-4 and 55 of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is aperspective view of oneof the tumblers; Fig. 7 is a similar view of the inner locking ring incorporating the'bolt guide; Fig.8 shows the barrel of the lock in perspective, with parts broken away to better reveal its construction; Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view showing a modification wherein the barrel is capable of rotating through 180 degrees or more; Fig. 10 is a sectional detail showing means for preventingthe withdrawal of the key from the lock excepting when in normal position, which means is desirable in-constructions wherein the barrel is capable of rotating through 90 degrees or more; and Fig. 11 is a section on the correspondingly numbered line of Fig. 10. While I have shown'my improvements incorporated in a padlock, it is to be understood that the invention is adapted to looks for doors, desks, fare boxes, cash boxes and receptacles, vaults,

safes, etc. A i 1 I f The body or casing of the lock is designated 1, and it contains a cylindrical cavity 2 that opens through one of its ends, and a bore 3 and recess 4 that open through its opposite end. Slidably and rotatably fitted within the bore 3 is the longer branch or shank 5 of a U-shaped shackle or link 6. A notch 7 is formed on theinner side of the shorter branch 8'of the shackle. Disposed betweenthe inner end of the branch or shank 5 and thebottom of the bore 3 is a compression spring 10 which tends to force the sha'clde out wardly. The shackle is limited. in'its outward movement by a stop 11 that is in the form or a crescent key, as shown in Fig.5, and that occupies a slot in the wall of the body 1 between the'cylindrical cavity 2 and the bore '3, the branch or shank 5 of the shackle being reduced indiameter throughout a portio'nlof its length, starting at a point near its inner end, to form a relatively'wide groove into which the stop 11 projects. The end of the branch'5 inwardly of said'groove constitutes a head 12 for engagement with the stop '11;

The locking mechanism,'hereinbeiore referred 90. to 'as of the so-called cylinder type, occupies the cavity 2. Fitted within the inner end of this cavity is a locking-ring or member 15 (shown in perspective in Fig. 7) that is relatively deep, and within its rearside is a transverse guideway 16 wherein a locking bolt 1''! slides. The nose of the bolt extends through a slotin the wall of the body 1 betweenthe recess:4 and the cavity 2 for engagement within the previously men tioned notch 7 of the adjacent branch of the shackle 6. The bolt 1'? is urged toward locking position by a coil spring 18 that is compressed between the end wall of a cavity that is formed in the inner end of the bolt, and withinwhich said spring isconfined, and the opposed wall of the cavity 2. The bolt has an opening 19." On the front face of the locking ring 15, and ex tending about the aperture therein, isan annular flange 20, provided with notches 21. i v

Separated from the locking r'ing .15, by a 1 tubular spacer 22, is another locking ring or member 23. This ring or member is plain on its rear face, while on its front face it has a notched annular flange 24, identical with the flange 20 of the previously described locking ring 15. Forwardly of the second mentioned locking ring 23 is another tubular spacer 26, and beyond this, an annulus 2'7", and a disc or closure 28' that is pressed or otherwise firmly secured within the outer end of the cavity 2. The closure or disc 28 is provided with a central hole 29. The locking rings 15 and 23 are provided with lugs 30 that are engaged within a keyway 31, formed within the wall of the cavity 2, for holding the,

locking rings against turning.

The apertures of the annulus'27 and rings 15 and 23 are of the same diameter, and within said apertures is journaled a cylindrical barrel 32. As best shown in Fig. 8, this barrel is made up of four identical segmental sections 33, each bemgrabbeted along one side adjacent its inner corner so that whenthe four sections are fitted together a key slot 34 produced. having four diverging branches, as. shown in Fig. 3. The cylinder or barrelthat is constituted of the sections 33 is turned down-at: its opposite ends and onto the parts thus reduced in diameter are pressed ringsv 35 and 36.. As a measure; of economy, the segmental. sections {33 are preferably cut from bars having the desired: cross sectional shape, and the. rings 35: and: 3&are cut from standard tubing. I

Hatches 3'1 are iormedin-the rabbeted sides of the sections 33 so that when the parts are assembled, as above described, the effect isthat 01 a; cylindrical barrel having the four branch key slot 34.- extendin'gr'axially through. it with grddewaysprodmced by the notches 37 opening from: the branches. ot the key slot. vSlidably fitted within. these guideways are tumblers 38 having-notches 39: in one ofi their lateral-edges. Theinner ends of the tumblers are tapered from one lateral edge toward the other and; in the region of saidi other edge are": rounded. as shown in ,Figs..2"and: 6; The outer ends of the-tumblers are formed; with transverse grooves '40. The 39 are of. a size to comfortably receive the flanges 20: and. 24a of the respective locking rings 15 and 23. q 7

In the present design: there: are two circumficrenti'al series of. tumblers, although obviously the nwnber may be increased, and engagcdabou-t the. tumblers of each. series is an: endless coil spring: 42 that rests within the grooves 40 in the outer ends of the tumblers. These springs tend to retain the tumblers in their innermost positions. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs.1 to 8, the inner end of the barrel 32 occupies the opening 19 in the bolt 17 and is cut away at one side to form an eccentric portion having a flat face: 43 that normally ene gages the straight end. of said opening.

- When a key, having the cut corresponding to the combination and arrangement of tumblers incorporated in the lock, is inserted through the hole 29 of. the discor closure 28 and into the key slot 34, the tumblers will be forcedoutwardly against the: tension of the springs 42 until the notches 39 of the tumblers register with the flanges 20 and 24 of the respective locking rings 15 and 23, and with the parts in this condition the barrel 32 may be turned by means of the key,-. the notches 39 of the tumblers 38' traveling about the flanges 20 and 24. When the barrel is thus turned, its eccentric inner end portion will function as a cam to retract the bolt 1'7 against the tension of the spring 18, withdrawing the nose of the bolt from the notch '7 in the ad jacent branch of the shackle or link 6, permitting the spring 10 to project said shackle or link endwise and remove the branch 8 from the recess 4. The head 12, engaging the stop 11, arrests the outward movement of the shackle or link, and when in its outward position the shackle or link is free to turn within the bore 3.

The barrel is limited in its rotation to less than 90% by the engagement of either end of the flat face 43 with the straight end of the slot 19 of the locking bolt when said bolt has been retracted until the opposite end of its slot is in contact with the rounded surface of the barrel. In this connection attention is called to the fact that when the key is inserted and the barrel turned so as to cause the notches 39 of the tumblers 38 to In some classes of locks wherein my improvements are adapted for use; itisnecessary that the barrel 33rotate through more than 90 degrees in order to impart the required movement to the bolt.v Such an embodiment of the; invention is diagrammatically. illustrated in Fig. 9 where the barrel is designated 45 andthe bolt 46. The bolt has a transverse slot 47* within which is engaged a. pin 49 that extends from the end of the barrel to one side of. its rotating axis so that when the barrel is turned it will reciprocate the bolt, as indicated in dottedv In. such a case as this, where: the barrel is capable of turning through more-than 90 degrees, it is necessary to provide specialmeans for preventing the withdrawal of the key from the-lockwhen the barrel is in any but: normal position, as otherwise the key could be withdrawn at each quarter turn of the barrel as the tumblers 38 would; then be in register with the notches in the flanges 20 and 24. A means for accomplishing this end is' illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, and in these views the barrel. 45 "is shown as an integral body which, of course. it might be in any case. Guided within a bore in the barrel 45 that opens at its. inner end into one oi thebranc'lres' of l the key slot is a plunger 49 whose inner end is adapted to enter a-notch 50 in the corresponding blade of the key'bit. A recess 51, formed the inner wall of an annulus 52- that surrounds the barrel. in. the region of plunger 49,and' which merges at its ends into said wall, accommodates the outer end of the plunger whenthebarrel is in normal position; but as thejbarrel is turned by means of the key the plunger is cammed' inwardly by the wall of the recess 51 until itsinner end occupies the notch 50 in the key, and inasmuch as this occurs before the barrel 45 makes a fourth turn, the key is held against withdrawal from the lock excepting-when the barrel is in normal position. The: annulus 52 has a lug 53 for engagement within a keyway in the lock casing (not shown) so that the annulus is securely held against turning-with respect to the casing.

From the foregoing descriptionit is evident that my invention provides a lock that is very 'efiicient and reliable, is secure against being picked because of the number and arrangement of the tumblers and the fact that-the approximately i diametrically opposed branches of the key slot are offset with respect to each other, and that is simple of construction, and-economical of production because of the character of the parts,

and that is especially easy and'quick of assembly.

"Besides its being possible to'reverse the bar-.

relinsome looks, as hereinbefore explained, for the purpose of'increasing the combination possibilities, the locking rings or members, excepting'the innermost "one, are capable of being reversed and the tumblers turned about (requiring a corresponding modification in the cut 'of the key) to further increasethe range-of combinations. l

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

to prevent rotation of the barrel excepting when 1 the tumblers are in a given position, and means urging the tumblers inwardly, the tumblers being adapted to be projected by a key of appropriate cut when the latter is inserted into the key slot to dispose them in the aforesaid given position so that the barrel may be rotated with respect to the locking members.

2. In locking mechanism, the combination of a barrel having an axial key slot and guideways extending outwardly therefrom, said guideways being independentof one another and spaced apart circumferentially and longitudinally of the barrel, tumblers slidable within said guideways, means tending to urge the tumblers inwardly, and locking members surrounding the barrel, the locking members and tumblers having parts cooperating to prevent rotation of the barrel with respect to the members excepting when the tumblers are in a given position, the tumblers being adapted to be projected to said given position by a key of appropriate design when inserted into the key slot. 7

3. In locking mechanism, the combination of a barrel having an axial key slot and a plurality of circumferential series of guideways extending outwardly from said slot, the series being spaced apart longitudinally of the barrel, tumblers slidable within the guideways, an endless coiled spring embracing the tumblers of each series thereby to force them inwardly, locking rings surrounding the barrel adjacent theturnblers, the locking rings and tumblers having'parts cooperating to prevent rotation of the barrel with respect. to the rings excepting when the tumblers are in a given position, the tumblers being adapted to be projected to said position by a key of appropriate cut when inserted into the key slot.

4, In locking mechanism, the combination of a barrel having an axial key slot and a plurality of circumferential series of guideways extending outwardly from the key slot, tumblers slidable within said guideways, locking members surrounding the barrel adjacent each circumferential series of tumblers, the members having annular flanges that are notched to accommodate the tu mblers,

the tumblers of each series having-notches that are adapted to register with the flanges of the adjacent locking member when'the tumblers are in a "given position, and means urging the turnblers inwardly, the tumblers being adapted to be of appropriate cut when the key slot.' j I I r 1 5. In locking mechanism, the combination of a the key is inserted into barrel having an axial key slot i'nvolvingdiverging branches; the barrel being provided with guideways extending outwardly from said branches; the guideways being arranged'in circumferential series that are spaced apart longitudinally of the barrel, tumblers slidable within s'aidguideways, means urging the tumblers inwardly, andalockingmember surrounding the barrel adjacent each circumferential series of tumblers, the locking member and tumblers hav-' ing parts cooperating to prevent rotationof the barrel: with respect to the members excepting when the tumblers are in 'atgiven position, the

tumblers being adapted to be projected to said given position by a key of appropriate design and cut when inserted into the key slot.

6. In locking mechanism, the combination of a barrel provided with an axial key slot having branches that are tangent to the axis of the barrel, the barrel being formedwith a circumferen- 'projected-to-ihe aforesaid given position by a key tial series of guideways that extend outwardly from the branches of the key slot, tumblers slidable within the guideways, means tending to urge the tumblers inwardly, and a locking member surrounding the barrel adjacent said series of tumblers, the locking member and tumblers hav-' ing parts cooperating to prevent rotation of the barrel with respect to the member excepting when the tumblers are in a given position, the tumblers being adapted to be projected into said given position by a key of appropriate design and cut when inserted into the key slot.

7. A look comprising a casing having a cavity, members occupying said cavity and spaced apart longitudinally thereof, said members having axially aligned bearing apertures, a barrel jour- -naled within said apertures and provided with an axial key slot and guideways extending outwardly therefrom and opening into the cavity adjacent said members, tumblers slidable in the guideways, means tending to urge the tumblers inwardly, the aforesaid members and tumblers having parts cooperating to prevent rotation of the barrel with respect to the members excepting when the tumblers are in a given position, the tumblers being adaptedto be projected to said given position by a key of appropriate cut when inserted into the key slot, and a locking element operatively connected to the barrel.

8. A look comprising a casing having a cylindrical cavity, locking rings fitted within the cavity and having central bearing apertures, the locking rings being fixed against rotation with respect to the casing, means spacing the locking rings apart, a barrel journaled within the locking rings and having an axial key slot and guideways extending outwardlytherefrom adja cent the locking rings, tumblers slidable within the guideways, an endless coiled spring embracing the tumblers adjacent each locking ring and urging them dnwardly, the locking rings and tumblers having parts cooperating to prevent rotation of the barrel with respect to the rings.

excepting when the tumblers are in a given position, the tumblers being adapted to be projected to said given position by a key of appropriate cut when inserted into the key slot,--a locking element having operative connection with the barrel, and means closing the aforesaid cavity and having an opening registering with the key slot of the barrel. I

9. A padlock comprising, in combination, a body having a cylindrical cavity and a bore adjacent said cavity, a shackle having a shank slidably and permanently fitting within-said bore,

the shank of the shackle being recessed, a-con- :ing mechanism and shackle having cooperating holding vparts.

10,. A lock barrel made up of four segmental sections fitting together to produce a cylinder and rabbeted along'their corresponding inner corners to effect a cruciform key slot whose branches are tangent to the :axis of the :barrel and the opposed ones of which branches are out of alignment with each other, and means for securing the sections together.

11. A lock barrel made up of four segmental sections fitting together to produce a cylinder and rabbeted' along their corresponding inner corners to effect 'a cruciform key slot whose branches are tangent to the axis of the barrel .and the opposed onesof which branches are out of alignment with each other, the rabbeted sides .of the sections having transverse grooves that open into the branches of the key slots :for the accommodation of tumblers, and means for securing the sections together.

JOHN E; BEVINGTON. 

